IfG Events

Institute for Government

The Labour government has a huge majority in parliament – but Keir Starmer’s administration is also facing an incredibly complex set of policy challenges. So how can the prime minister and his team turn around public service performance? What can chancellor Rachel Reeves do to get the economy growing again? What will mission-driven government actually mean in practice? Who should be making the key decisions in Westminster – and beyond? And what will the appointment of a new cabinet secretary mean for the future direction of the civil service?From reforming how the centre of government works to the battle for the future of the civil service, from making a success of levelling up to achieve net zero goals, IfG EVENTS stimulate fresh thinking and share ideas about how government works – and how it could work better.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2026 • 56min

Leaders of tomorrow: How can the UK develop politicians fit for the future?

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Heather Blundell, CEO of Grayling Rt Hon Baroness Thérèse Coffey, former Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Lord Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator This event was chaired by Vicky Elliott, Director at the Institute for Government This event was in partnership with The Spectator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 6, 2026 • 1h 5min

Social security, disability and health-related inactivity: What is the Conservative case for reform?

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Helen Barnard, Director of Policy and Research at Trussell Fraser Nelson, Columnist at The Times Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with Trussell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 5, 2026 • 47min

In conversation with Baroness Bennett, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

This event took place at the Green Party Conference. Dr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government was joined by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales (2012–16). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 5, 2026 • 34min

Governing in a fractured Britain: How should the Conservatives rethink their approach to power?

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference. Speakers: Baroness Finn of Swansea, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Dr Patrick English, Head of Elections and Political and Social Data at YouGov Lucy Harris, former MEP and Conservative Special Adviser Salma Shah, IfG Senior fellow and former Conservative Special Adviser Tom Skinner, former Conservative Special Adviser This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with YouGov. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 30, 2026 • 60min

How can Labour’s early years agenda better support boys from low-income families?

This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Paul Waugh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education) Lynn Perry MBE, Chief Executive Officer at Barnardo's Sarah Ronan, Executive Director at the Early Education and Childcare Coalition Matt Towner, Director of Programmes at Impact on Urban Health Alistair Strathern MP, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Labour Group for Men and Boys This event was chaired by Nehal Davison, former Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with Barnardo’s and Impact on Urban Health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 30, 2026 • 59min

Where next for English devolution under Andy Burnham?

This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Mayor Kim McGuinness, Mayor of North East England Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester Mark Rogers, Interim Chief Executive, Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with The University of Manchester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 29, 2026 • 1h 13min

How can Labour build an affordable welfare system that supports sick and disabled people?

This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Chair of the Young People and Work Review Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Dr Kate Summers, British Academy Post Doctoral Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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